Local SEO

Google Business Profile Playbook

Optimize your local presence on Google to attract more customers, improve rankings, and drive sales. Master Google Business Profile to stand out in local search.

Best Frequency

1-2 times per week

Best For

Local businesses, Service-based businesses, Brick-and-mortar stores

Tone

Helpful & Trustworthy

Key Optimization Areas

Focus on these critical areas to maximize your local visibility and attract more customers.

Complete Your Profile
High

Fill out every section of your profile to improve your local ranking on Google and give customers the information they need.

Examples:

  • Add your business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
  • Select accurate categories
  • Add your website and appointment links
  • Upload high-quality photos
One-time setup
Manage Reviews
High

Respond to reviews to show customers that you value their feedback and build trust. Positive reviews improve your local ranking.

Examples:

  • Reply to all reviews, both positive and negative
  • Encourage customers to leave reviews
  • Flag inappropriate reviews
  • Thank customers for their feedback
Daily
Create Posts
Medium

Share updates, offers, events, and new products to keep your profile fresh and engage with customers.

Examples:

  • Post weekly updates about your business
  • Promote special offers and events
  • Showcase new products or services
  • Use compelling images and calls-to-action
Weekly
Answer Questions
Medium

Use the Q&A feature to answer common questions and provide helpful information to potential customers.

Examples:

  • Proactively add and answer common questions
  • Monitor and answer new questions quickly
  • Upvote helpful answers
  • Keep answers concise and informative
Weekly
Add Photos & Videos
High

Regularly add new photos and videos to showcase your business, products, and team, and to keep your profile engaging.

Examples:

  • Add photos of your storefront, interior, and products
  • Share photos of your team and happy customers
  • Upload short videos to highlight your business
  • Keep your photo gallery updated
Weekly
Analyze Insights
Medium

Use Google Business Profile Insights to understand how customers find your business and what actions they take on your profile.

Examples:

  • Track how customers search for your business
  • Monitor customer actions (calls, website clicks, directions)
  • Analyze photo views and engagement
  • Use insights to optimize your profile
Monthly

Business-Specific Strategies

Tailored recommendations for different business types to maximize their local search performance.

Local Businesses

Focus Areas:

Accurate NAP, positive reviews, local posts

Recommended Tone:

Helpful & Trustworthy

Posting Frequency:

1-2 times per week

Service-Based Businesses

Focus Areas:

Service areas, appointment links, customer testimonials

Recommended Tone:

Professional & Reliable

Posting Frequency:

Weekly

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Focus Areas:

Store hours, product photos, in-store promotions

Recommended Tone:

Inviting & Engaging

Posting Frequency:

2-3 times per week

Restaurants & Cafes

Focus Areas:

Menu, online ordering, customer photos, special offers

Recommended Tone:

Appetizing & Friendly

Posting Frequency:

Daily

Best Practices

Follow these guidelines to create a high-performing Google Business Profile that drives results.

Do's
  • Keep your business information accurate and up-to-date
  • Encourage and respond to all customer reviews
  • Regularly post updates, offers, and events
  • Use high-quality photos and videos
  • Answer questions in the Q&A section promptly
  • Use Google Business Profile Insights to track performance
  • Fill out every section of your profile completely
  • Use relevant keywords in your business description
Don's
  • Use inaccurate or inconsistent business information
  • Ignore customer reviews, especially negative ones
  • Let your profile become stale with no new posts
  • Use low-quality or irrelevant photos
  • Create fake reviews or violate Google's policies
  • Keyword-stuff your business name or description
  • Forget to update your holiday hours
  • Neglect the Q&A section

Ready to dominate local search?

Get personalized recommendations to boost your local rankings and attract more customers.